The development of a promising new injectable medicineof lencapavir, which prevents infection by the virus HIV named by Science magazine as “the achievement of the year” for 2024.
Despite decades of progress, HIV still infects more than a million people annually. The new drug to prevent it offers hope to sufferers by giving them six months of protection after each AIDS injection.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the drug’s remarkable effectiveness against HIV, providing 100% protection in adolescent girls and women in Africa and 99.9% in heterosexual groups on all continents.
The success of this drug is due to pioneering research on the HIV capsid protein, which protects the genetic material of the virus.
By making this protein rigid, the drug blocks key stages of virus replication. It is noted that this mechanism could inspire treatments for other viral diseases as well.
However, while the drug’s regulatory approval is expected by 2025, it is stressed that its global success depends on affordability, its manufacturing agreements and strong health infrastructure.